Jensen Beach man accused of leaving scene of fatal crash

MARTIN COUNTY— A Jensen Beach man was arrested Saturday after he was accused of leaving the scene of a fatal crash from July 2018.

Norcris Castaneda, 22, of the 80 block of North El Mar Drive in Jensen Beach, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injuries.

Florida Highway Patrol officials said on July 14, 2018, Castaneda was driving a 2015 Ford Focus northbound in Interstate 95 in Martin County when he hit the back of a 2014 Ford truck that also was driving northbound on I-95.

Officials said the crash caused the truck to rotate counterclockwise and flip in front of the Ford Focus. Two of the people riding in the truck were thrown out of it and one died months later from injuries from the crash.

The other person thrown out of the truck had multiple broken ribs and injuries to his back and neck. Officials said he now lives in a nursing home because of the extent of his injuries.

Officials said Castaneda continued to drive for a mile after the crash happened and stopped when the front wheel assembly of the car broke off and the car stopped driving. Castaneda then got out of the truck and started running north toward Stuart.

A warrant was put out for Castaneda's arrest and he was arrested Saturday.

Passengers in the car Castaneda identified Castaneda as the driver of the car.

Castaneda was arrested and taken to the Martin County jail on a $150,000 bond. As of Tuesday afternoon, he remains in jail.

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If you see a crime being committed, leave anonymous tips with Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers. GINNY BEAGAN/TCPALM April 2019
Ginny Beagan, TCPALM